Becoming an Outdoors Woman

History

Christine Thomas, an Associate Dean and Professor of Resource Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, developed a program in 1991 called "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" (B.O.W.) which teaches women outdoor skills. It began when Christine started researching the reasons why more women didn't participate in outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. She determined that women prefer to learn outdoor skills in a non-competitive atmosphere taught by other women. If you'd like to learn a little more about the program beginnings Christine has published a book titled "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman: My Outdoor Adventure."

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman started in Minnesota in 1994 when a committee of interested people came together with Christine Thomas and decided to adopt it as a Minnesota Program. The program direction was under Roger Holmes with the Division of Wildlife at the DNR. Some of those same committee members are still working on the program today. Jean Bergerson was one of those original committee members and is now the Minnesota B.O.W. Coordinator. As a side note, Minnesota was the first state to offer multiple workshops in one year and the first state to offer winter workshops.

Wouldn't you like to sign up for an event with Becoming an Outdoors-Woman and become a part of history?!